“Sangam”, means “coming together”, in Sanskrit, sometimes taken to signify “the meeting point of three rivers”. Interpret that literally in Trygve Seim’s case and the different rivers might symbolize the cross-referencing of jazz, contemporary composition and diverse world folk traditions in his work. On the second ECM album issued under his name, the Norwegian saxophonist draws inspiration from musical and non-musical sources both local and far-flung, bringing these influences to bear on compositions and arrangements that are uniquely personal.
Seim has been heard recently with The Source, the improvising group he co-leads with Øyvind Brække and Per Oddvar Johansen (both featured here), and has guested on Christian Wallumrød’s “Sofienberg Variations”, but “Sangam” is closer in spirit to “Different Rivers”, the ECM debut that overwhelmed international critics in 2001.